Solar Panels and Charge Controllers

[Trim50]

I'm planning to install two Kyocera 200W (26V) panels on top of my Bimini and three GE 50 Watt (17.4V) panels on top of my dodger. Will I need two separate charge controllers for the two banks of panels?

[camaraderie]

Nope...check out this one. Outback Mx60 60A,12-48V Mppt Charge Controller

[Trim50]

I was real excited till I read the note..
Note: For optimal Maximum Power Point Tracking performance, it is recommended that MPPT charge controllers be used in conjunction with uniform solar arrays consisting of multiple, identical solar panels. MPPT charge controllers will still work with mixed arrays, but at reduced efficiencies, which defeats the whole point of MPPT technology. These devices were designed to calculate the most efficient charging characteristics given the assumption of a uniform array. Mixed arrays, by definition throw this calculation off.

[Randyonr3]

Trim,
the foot-print of two 200 watt pannels is a large area . I've goty two 75s atop my bimini and its pretty large.. concerning the controlers, I dont know that I've read anything about the "morningstar" units that would prohibit from running them through one pannel.
I have two controlers, A pro-star 15 for the solar and a Tri-star (TS-45) on the wind charger. my only concern would be the amps your putting out and having a controler that would handle the power.
Inclosed is a picture of my boat with the solar atop the bimini. you can see what I mean by the size.

[skiertwo]

Hi all, I have a problem that I hope someone in the forum will be able to help me with: I have fitted a 160watt solar panel with a charge controler. The contoler has live and neg. connections for the panel, battery and load. I have connected the panel and battery and have not bothered with the load connections and have registered 16V during charging as apposed to the 14.2V I have read as ideal. Is the 16V a problem or normal? Is it vital that I connect the load side, and if so how and to what part of the load do I connect? Thanks for any help.

[Sandero]

I am no expert but 16v sounds too high.

[Randyonr3]

You've got some bad readings comming off the controler.. Back the reading up with a check of the batteries with a Volt meter... and are you running a 24 volt system or by chance did you pick up a 24 volt controler?
The load side of the controler is so you can monitor the amps being used for a particular system.. unless your system your system is designed for a "deverter load"
in which the load is a heat sink or a loop in you water heater.
Need mor information ..........
What size system are you using.. 12 or 24, what type of controler are you using?
Is the controler programable?

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Trim50

I'm planning to install two Kyocera 200W (26V) panels on top of my Bimini and three GE 50 Watt (17.4V) panels on top of my dodger. Will I need two separate charge controllers for the two banks of panels?

I am sorry to hijack your post and I don't have an answer but I was wondering if you could let me know the dimensions of your 50W GE panels.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I am sorry to hijack your post and I don't have an answer but I was wondering if you could let me know the dimensions of your 50W GE panels.

GE’s GEPV-050* Photovoltaic Modules measure 26.0" (661mm) x 33.8" (858mm) x 1.4" Thick (35mm), and weigh 16.6 lb (7.5 kg)

* Peak power of 50 Watts at 17.3 Volts (Voc = 22V)

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by skiertwo

Is the 16V a problem or normal? Is it vital that I connect the load side, and if so how and to what part of the load do I connect? Thanks for any help.

Depending on what make of charge control you have, you should be able to select you output voltage via dip switches.

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by Randyonr3

Trim,
the foot-print of two 200 watt pannels is a large area .

My bimini is 87" across beam and 56.5" wide. The Kyocera 200W panel is 39" X 56.2"....they should work just fine. I plan to make a rack exactly like yours.

How do you feel about your wind generator? I've talked with people that wished they had spent the money on solar rather than wind.

[Randyonr3]

For my use, I like the use of both and would'nt chose one over the other, As you know in your area, the wind blows at night.
I've been out at two harbors when the solar was almost nothing because of overcast but the wind was blowing around 15 knots and the amp guage was reading positive.
When looking for different wind chargers, I chose the 4-winds as its the simplest and easiest to re-build if needed, and is a basic generator.. just installed a new set of brushes in it last week as the old one were worn about half way down. its now good for another 4 to 5 years...
I've been off the grid for over 4 years now and as I look over at the readings,
solar is putting out 6.4amps, wind charger is at 4 to 5 amps and the reffer is pulling 4.8............overall I'm showing 13.3 volts on the house bank...
system is working great..
You can see the combination of the solar and wind I'm using

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Randyonr3

... as I look over at the readings,
solar is putting out 6.4amps, wind charger is at 4 to 5 amps and the reffer is pulling 4.8............overall I'm showing 13.3 volts on the house bank...
system is working great..
You can see the combination of the solar and wind I'm using

Does the picture show a normally "shadowed" condition?

[hellosailor]

SKIER-
"and have not bothered with the load connections "
Measurements made under no load are meaningless. You MUST take the measurements under a real load. For example, I measured solar panels as putting out 14V under no load during dusk conditions, but that plummeted to 3V under a normal load. The new controllers are also active electronics, what they put out will vary depending on the load conditions they sense. Again, you MUST have a real load (or a simluated load) hooked up in order to make meaningful measurements.

[ztviper17]

hey randyonr. Are you able to power your whole boat (fridge,comp,tv ect....) with the two solar pannels and wind thing (cant think of word). or do you also use power from your engine.